BLOGGING THE VIEW: Remembering Stonewall 55 years on

In many countries, June is celebrated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, with 28 June commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Despite the strides that have been made in acceptance and tolerance, there are still 64 countries with laws that criminalise homosexuality – nearly half of which are in Africa. In a growing climate of radicalism and intolerance, it’s more important than ever that we fight for inclusivity this Pride Day.

What exactly is LGBTQ Pride Month/Day?

This is a time to commemorate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community (LGBTQ+), the struggles they have endured, and the need to create a more inclusive and accepting environment.

Pride Month is generally associated with colourful parades and parties, but this doesn’t underscore the need for rallies, marches and political protests in areas where the community is still under threat.

The origins of LGBTQ Pride Day

In the early hours of 28 June 1969, the New York City Police Department raided Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village.

While these raids were not uncommon, what was different this time was that the patrons decided to fight back in what became known as the Stonewall Rebellion/Riot.  This lasted several days, with Stonewall now considered the spark that ignited the LGBTQ rights movement.

The use of archaic laws

From the 1940s to 1960s, the LGBTQ+ community was constantly harassed and arrested by American police for violating the archaic ‘Three-article Rule’ or ‘three-piece law’.

This stipulated that an individual had to wear at least three gender-appropriate articles of clothing to avoid arrest for cross-dressing. However, the law never really existed. The Three-article Rule was technically first established to punish rural farmers who were dressing like Native Americans to fight off tax collectors.

The Stonewall Rebellion today

One year after the rebellion, the first Gay Pride Liberation March took place in Manhattan to commemorate the anniversary of Stonewall. However, it took 30 years for Pride Month to become official with the 1999 proclamation by former president Bill Clinton.

Since then, Barack Obama and Joe Biden have issued further declarations, with Obama designating the Stonewall Inn and surrounding area a national monument, making it the first national monument honouring LGBTQ+ rights.

How do you show your support for Gay Pride Day?

If you want to show your support and encourage inclusion in your community, there are several simple ways to do this:

· Educate yourself further by reading up on the LGBTQ+ community: GLAAD’s website is a good place to start www.glaad.org
· Hang a rainbow flag (the Gay Pride colours) in your home or business to show your solidarity
· Support LGBTQ+ businesses and organisations where you can
· Advocate for LGBTQ+ protections and equality wherever possible

SOURCES:
www.american.edu
www.nbcnews.com
www.bbc.com
www.history.com
www.altamed.org

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